Device and cleaning pad for cleaning or treating surfaces or for applying media to surfaces

ABSTRACT

A cleaning device for cleaning surfaces such a toilet bowls or baths comprising a handle having a trigger at one end and a head at the other. The head is adapted to fit into a disposable cleaning pad in the form of a slipper. The cleaning pad is fixed to the head during the cleaning operation and it may be attached or removed from the head by fixing means actuated by the trigger means. The fixing means are actively disengaged from the cleaning pad by ejection means.

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for cleaning ortreating surfaces or for applying media to surfaces, especially forcleaning toilet bowls and the like. The invention further relates to acleaning pad that may be attached to said device to effect cleaningoperations and be removed easily after use.

[0002] Cleaning a toilet bowl is typically one of the most undesirablejobs for most persons. Nevertheless, toilet bowls must be kept clean inorder to prevent sanitary problems, the potential for irritable smells,and the possibility of harmful bacteria build up.

[0003] Conventional cleaning brushes or sponges are unpleasant to usebecause of the excessive dripping of water from the cleaning surfaces,which may result in unsanitary storage between use.

[0004] However, the use of cleaning compositions which are dispensed asa dosage upon flushing of a toilet, generally are not as effective asmanual scrubbing.

[0005] To overcome these shortcomings in conventional cleaning devicesand compositions, many proposals have been made for cleaning deviceswhich employ disposable cleaning pads. Such devices generally consist ofa handle having a trigger mechanism at one end and a head at the other.The head is provided as a pair of opposable jaws which may be opened andclosed using the trigger mechanism to engage and disengage a disposablecleaning pad. One problem with the opposable jaw arrangement is that thecleaning pad is only held by the jaws at the point at which they clamptogether such that some of the cleaning pad hangs limply from the head.As a result, cleaning force applied through the head is not communicatedefficiently to the cleaning pad. Furthermore, those parts of the pad notfirmly held by the head will be prone to fold, slip or roll therebycompromising cleaning performance.

[0006] Another prior art cleaning device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.3,225,375. This cleaning device has a handle and a head portion, thelatter being adapted to receive a disposable cleaning pad in the form ofa slipper. The head is bulbous and is adapted to have a slipper placedover it such that the slipper closely conforms to the shape of the head.Accordingly, when the user applies force to the head, the force isefficiently communicated to the surface of the slipper in contact withthe surface to be cleaned to exert cleaning pressure. Further, as theslipper conforms to the contours of the head, there is a reducedtendency for the slipper to fold or roll. Because the slipper is simplyslipped over the head and not clamped by opposable jaws, the head isprovided with fixing means in the form of barbs that are upstanding fromthe head and project rearwardly towards the direction of the handle suchas to oppose removal of the slipper once attached to the head. A problemwith having such fixing means on the head is that they are provided onthe bottom surface of the head through which frictional forces aredirected such that during a cleaning operation the fixing means may becompromised, that is, loosened or even torn from the cleaning pad. Stillfurther, if the fixing means remains engaged on the slipper during thecleaning process then it may snag the slipper during its removal,particularly as the slipper will be sodden with water and will alreadyhave a tendency to cling to the head during a cleaning operation.

[0007] We have now found a cleaning device that is substantially free ofthe disadvantages of the prior art.

[0008] Accordingly, the invention provides in a first aspect a cleaningdevice comprising a handle having towards one end a grip portion andtrigger means, and at the other end a head adapted to receive a cleaningpad in the form of a slipper, the head comprising a bottom surface whichbears against a surface to be cleaned in frictional engagement; andfixing means actuated by the trigger means to releasably fix thecleaning pad to the head wherein fixing means are provided on the deviceother than on said bottom surface.

[0009] The device according to the invention is possessed of numerousadvantages: The cleaning pad may be releasably fixed to the head byoperation of the trigger means at a position remote from the head.Attachment and release of the cleaning pad may therefore be conductedwithout the need for a user to touch either the head or the cleaning padby hand. Furthermore, given that the fixing means are not provided on asurface of the head that is subject to cleaning frictional forces, theattachment of the cleaning pad to the head is not compromised during acleaning operation.

[0010] The handle may be formed as an elongate member that is of alength such that a user's hand is sufficiently removed from the head topermit sanitary cleaning of a surface. The handle should permit the userto exert cleaning pressure along its length and through the cleaninghead in order to provide sufficient frictional force to provide thedesired cleaning action, and the handle should therefore be formed of asufficiently rigid material, e.g. rigid plastics materials, for thispurpose.

[0011] The handle may consist of a single elongate member and it may behollow or channelled longitudinally. The hollow or channel may house aportion of the trigger means. In the alternative, the handle maycomprise two handle sections which are configured in a complementarymanner such that when they are brought together in opposed relationshipthey form conjointly the handle. In such an embodiment, at the end ofeach handle section is a head section, which head sections are likewiseconfigured in a complementary manner such that when they are broughttogether in opposed relationship they form conjointly the head. The twohandle sections are joined pivotally such that they may open and closeabout the pivot in a scissor-like manner. The two sections may bepivotally connected at any point along their length although for ease ofleverage for the user, the pivot should be as far away from the gripportion of the handle as is practical. This provides that the pivot maybe at the tip of the head sections, however, it is preferred that thepivot is formed further up the handle in the direction of the gripportion in order that this pivot is clear of the water in, e.g. a toiletbowl in normal use, in order to prevent the build up of germs in thepivot joint. For ease of manufacture, the pivot connection may be formedby an integrally moulded stud on one handle section that snaps into, androtates freely within, a recess or hole formed in the opposing handlesection when the two handle sections are connected.

[0012] The two handle sections may be longitudinally recessed in acomplementary fashion such that when they are closed together the handletakes the form of a longitudinally hollow member. The two sections maybe locked together in a closed position using suitable locking means,for example, one section may be provided with a tongue and the othersection provided with a co-operating recess for receiving the tongue.The tongue being adapted to snap into the recess in locking relationshipand be easily opened when the user provides gentle pressure to urge thehandle sections apart.

[0013] The head consists of a body having a bottom surface which isadapted to bear against a surface to be cleaned in frictionalengagement. Because surfaces to be cleaned will often have somecurvature, it is preferred if the head is either formed of a resilientmaterial such that the bottom surface will conform to curved surfacesunder pressure, and/or is jointed or articulated such that certainportions of the bottom surface may deform to conform to the curvedsurface. The head additionally comprises side walls. The cleaning padextends upwardly of the bottom surface over the side walls which supportit. In this way, movement of the cleaning head is communicated to thecleaning pad such that it is held in tight conformance with the head asit moves forward and from side to side on a surface to be cleaned.Further, as the pad does not present a free or exposed edge to africtionally engaging surface, the pad resists folding or rolling duringcleaning operations.

[0014] The head may be of any desirable shape. It may be an essentiallyflat body, or it may be bulbous, e.g. in the form of an ellipsoid. Thelatter configuration is advantageous not only in the cleaning of curvedsurfaces, which may be typically encountered with toilet bowls andbaths, but also because of its relatively bulky form will promote acleaning pad in the form of a slipper, to form a tight relationship withthe head.

[0015] Preferably, the head is rather smooth and lacking in surfacedetail or contours in order that germs cannot easily gather on itssurface. It may be of solid construction or in the form of a hollow bodyin which case the hollow head may communicate with the longitudinalhollow in the handle.

[0016] The head may be formed of a variety of materials. Preferably itis formed of a resilient material that allows it to deform underpressure to adopt the contours of the surface to be cleaned. The headand handle may be integrally formed, for example by a moulding orextrusion process.

[0017] The fixing means ensures the secure fitting of the cleaning padto the head such that the cleaning pad remains firmly in contact withthe contours of the head during the cleaning process and cannot movebackwards off the head during the cleaning process. Further, aftercleaning, the fixing means is readily disengaged in order to permitremoval of the cleaning pad. Both the fixing and the disengagementprocedures may be actuated from the grip portion of the handle using thetrigger means such that both procedures may be conducted in a sanitaryway. The fixing means may take any of a variety of forms to achieve thisdual purpose.

[0018] Thus, the fixing means may be provided as a clamp provided on thehandle proximally to the point at which head and handle meet. The clampmay be actuated using the trigger means and which may be operated fromthe grip portion of the handle. Conveniently, the trigger means maycomprise a rod, located in the hollow handle or in the longitudinalchannel, which projects outwardly of the handle in the form of a buttonwhich can be operated from the grip portion, and is connected to theclamp. Thus the user may open the clamp to disengage the cleaning padsimply by depressing the button. The rod may be spring-loaded, thespring being biased against this movement such that when the button isreleased, the spring returns the clamp to its closed position.

[0019] Other fixing means are contemplated by the present invention.Thus, a cleaning pad may be slipped onto the head in a manner describedabove, and a portion of the cleaning pad may be adapted to hook onto orsnag a portion of the handle and thereby fix the cleaning pad to thehead. In particular, the cleaning pad may comprise an elongate tabportion that extends outwardly of the slipper generally in the directionof the handle. This tab may terminate in an approximately T-shapedportion. The handle may be provided with a bore running through thehandle in a direction essentially normal to its length which is adaptedto receive the elongate tab portion of the cleaning pad such that whenit has passed through the bore, the T-shaped portion snags or catchesthe handle such that the tab portion cannot return through the boreunder the normal forces experienced during the cleaning process.Accordingly, the cleaning pad is held firmly in place during thecleaning process.

[0020] If the handle is comprised of two handle sections pivotallyconnected as hereinabove described, each handle section may have acomplementary recess such that when the handle is closed, the tworecesses cooperate to form the bore through the handle.

[0021] In a similar manner, the handle may contain a slot or groove anda portion of the cleaning pad simply slides into the slot or groove, isheld in frictional engagement with the handle an thereby fixes thecleaning pad to the head. Still further, when the handle is comprised oftwo opposable sections, a portion of cleaning pad may simply be grippedbetween the two sections when they are closed together.

[0022] Still further fixing means may be provided by simply insertingthe cleaning pad over the head and fixing a portion of the cleaning padto the handle, for example with a suitable adhesive, e.g. asilicone-based adhesive. In particular, an elongate tab portion ashereinabove described may be provided with an adhesive surface whichenables the tab to be stuck directly onto the handle. Alternatively, ifthe tab terminates in a T-shaped portion as aforementioned, the ends ofthe T may be provided with adhesive surfaces such that the tab may belooped around the handle and connected together to form a collar aroundthe handle and thereby fixing the cleaning pad to the head.

[0023] In yet another embodiment, the fixing means may be provided onthe head in the form of one or more retractable pins which may beactuated by the trigger means. In such an embodiment, the pins areretracted by depressing the button portion projecting outwards of thehandle at the grip portion (a spring may be provided on the triggermeans that is biased against this movement), a cleaning pad is thenslipped over the head and the button thereafter release to urge the pinsinto fixing contact with the cleaning pad. The pins are held in contactwith the pad under tension of the spring. Once a cleaning operation iscompleted, the pins may be retracted to disengage the cleaning pad topermit its removal.

[0024] The trigger means has been described above in terms of a rod,secreted in a hollow provided in the handle, which connects a buttonprojecting from the handle, to a clamp. However, in a device comprisingpivotally-movable handle sections, the trigger means may be provided bythe relative movement of the handle sections which movement may, forexample, cause the aforementioned bore to open and close to permitattachment or disengagement of the elongate tab portion of the cleaningpad. Alternatively, opening the handle sections may cause the elongatetab portion that is fixed on or around the handle sections to tear awayfrom the handle thereby to disengage the cleaning pad from the head.

[0025] A device according to the present invention may additionally beprovided with ejection means which assists in the removal of a cleaningpad from the cleaning head after a cleaning operation is complete.Ejection means, upon actuation, either remove a cleaning pad entirelyfrom the cleaning head or disrupt, e.g. rupture or tear the cleaning padto an extent that its removal from the cleaning head is rendered facile.In addition to its disrupting the cleaning pad, it is a characteristicof the ejection means that it actively disengages the cleaning pad fromthe fixing means.

[0026] Ejection means may play an important role in the removal of acleaning pad from a cleaning head. In particular, when a cleaning pad issodden after use it tends to cling to the head even after the fixingmeans are disengaged from the pad. Removal may only be effected bytearing the pad off by hand, or if the device is vigorously agitated.Ejection means provide additional impetus to remove the pad bydisrupting it such that it no longer can cling firmly to the head andits removal may be effected entirely or may be substantiallyfacilitated. The prior art device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,225,375contains means for tearing a used cleaning pad, however, these means areunable to actively disengage the cleaning pad from the fixing means asthis term is meant in the present invention. This is because the fixingmeans are provided as upstanding barbs on the head which are reversedirected such that even a torn pad must still be slid across the barbsto effect removal which may be substantially hindered as a result.

[0027] In one embodiment of the present invention, the ejection meansmay be actuated by pulling the handle sections open about the axis ofthe pivot connection which causes the head sections to open and in theprocess rupture a cleaning pad attached thereto. In such an embodiment,ejection means are effectively provided by the relative movement of thehead sections. For optimal ejection, movement of the handle sectionsshould translate as movement in the head sections to the greatest extentpossible. To this end, it is less preferred if the pivot of is providedat the tip of the head section. In such an arrangement handle movementwill translate to considerably less head movement than would be the caseif the handle sections were pivotally connected higher up the handletowards the grip portion.

[0028] In another embodiment, the ejection means may be provided by aretractable member, e.g. a rod, that may be located in the hollowprovided in the handle and head. At the grip portion end of the handlethe retractable member may project outwards of the handle to terminatein a button portion; whereas the other end of the retractable member mayterminate in an abutment portion which may be flush with and form partof a surface of the head. Actuation of the retractable member bydepressing the button will cause the abutment portion to move out of theplane of the head surface to bear against a cleaning pad to urge thelatter off the head.

[0029] In another aspect of the invention there is provided a cleaningpad suitable for use with a cleaning device as hereinabove described.

[0030] The cleaning pad must be capable of being firmly attached to thehead of a cleaning device, conform with the contours of the head and becapable of withstanding disintegration as a result of the frictionalforces associated with the cleaning process. Additionally, it should beeasily flushable in a toilet bowl after use. It should be inexpensive tomanufacture on a large scale.

[0031] The cleaning pad may be manufactured from a water-dispersible orwater soluble, preferably biodegradable material, that has sufficientmechanical strength when wet for a normal period of use to permit of thecleaning process. Suitable materials include paper, cardboard, pressedpaper pulp and the like. To add stiffness and a better cleaning action,surface structure may be added to the pad, for example ridges, dots ordimples. Cleaning compositions may be secreted in the cleaning pads in amanner known per se. Cleaning pads are well known in the art and theskilled person would appreciate other types of materials that would besuitable for the intended purpose.

[0032] In one embodiment, the cleaning pad comprises a pad of materialthat is folded and seamed to form a slipper open at one to receive thehead. The other end of the slipper may be closed such that the front endof the head abuts the end of the slipper to prevent further movement inthe direction of entry of the head. The cleaning pad thereby conforms tothe shape of the head and grips the head firmly. Projecting outwardsfrom the aforementioned open end of the slipper, the cleaning pad may beprovided with an elongate tab portion. At the end of the tab portionremote from the pocket, the tab may be adapted to co-operate with thefixing means to releasably secure the cleaning pad to the head of thecleaning device. As discussed hereinabove, the end of the tab portionmay contain an adhesive surface which may be stuck to the handle; or itmay terminate in a T-shaped projection which may be wrapped around thehandle and the ends stuck together to form a collar; or it may contain aT-shaped projection which passes through a bore in the handle andthereby catches or snags the handle to secure the cleaning pad onto thehead.

[0033] In an alternative embodiment, the cleaning pad may be in the formof a slipper consisting of an essentially flat body that fits over thebottom surface of the head. In such an embodiment, the pad additionallycomprises a circumferential raised surface which is in frictionalcontact with the side walls of the head when the flat body of the pad isplaced in contact with said bottom surface. Additional fixing means maybe provided on the head, for example the retractable pins hashereinabove described for further securing the cleaning pad to the head.

[0034] Specific embodiments of cleaning pads of the present inventionare shown in the figures below.

[0035] Cleaning pads may be stored in a suitable container and may beprovided in a stacked arrangement such that the top most cleaning padmay be easily slipped onto the cleaning head without any direct handcontact.

[0036] The invention is further illustrated with reference to followingdescription and drawings relating to specific embodiments of the presentinvention.

[0037]FIG. 1 shows a side view of a first inventive cleaning device;

[0038]FIG. 2 shows a partial view of the cleaning device of FIG. 1 witha pad attached;

[0039]FIG. 3 shows an inventive cleaning pad with a pocket and arearward tab;

[0040]FIG. 4 shows a grip portion of a cleaning device;

[0041]FIG. 5 shows a second inventive cleaning device;

[0042]FIG. 6 shows a sectional view of the device of FIG. 5;

[0043]FIG. 7 shows a sectional view of a third inventive cleaning devicewith a pad attached;

[0044]FIG. 8 shows a side view of the device of FIG. 7;

[0045]FIG. 9 shows a side view of the device of FIG. 7 with padattached;

[0046]FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of the device of FIG. 7;

[0047]FIG. 11 shows a second cleaning pad;

[0048]FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of an another cleaning device anda cleaning pad adapted to fit thereon.

[0049] FIGS. 13-16 show perspective views of another cleaning deviceaccording to the present invention. FIGS. 15 and 16 show the device in aclosed/open position with a cleaning pad attached/disengaging.

[0050]FIGS. 17 through 24 show plan and side-views of specific cleaningpads.

[0051]FIGS. 1 and 2 show a first inventive cleaning device 1 designed asa hygienic replacement for conventional WC brushes in a side viewwithout cleaning pad (FIG. 1) and with an attached cleaning pad 4 (FIG.2). The cleaning pad 4 itself is shown in FIG. 3. The device comprisesan elongate handle 8 having a grip portion 2 at the upper part 8 a and acleaning head 3 at its opposite lower part 8 b. The cleaning head 3 ismade of water impervious foam material capable of only smalldeformations under the stresses normally experienced during the WCcleaning operation. The cleaning head 3 has a oval shape which isdimensioned to fit preferably tightly into and to be at least partlysurrounded by the cleaning pad 4. The flexible cleaning pad 4 comprisestherefore a flat oval base portion 19, made of tissue paper, non-wovenfabric or the like. Preferably, the pad 4 consists of paper laminatewhich protects the foam from contamination and is wiped over the surfaceof the WC, possibly with an active cleaning powder integrated into thebottom layers of the pad. The pad 4 further comprises a sheet 17attached to the base portion 19 and forming a cleaning head receivingpocket 18 with the base portion 19. The pad 4 further comprises anelongate tab 21, preferably made of tear-resistant material, preferablycard, located opposite the pocket and projecting upwardly andrearwardly. The device 1 further comprises fixing means 5 for affixing apad to the device. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the fixing means 5 include a clamp6 located near the lower part 8 b of the handle 8. The clamp 6 is ableto secure a pad 4 that is slipped over the cleaning head 3 by clamping apad portion, here the tab 21, and hold it in place during scrubbing. Theclamp 6 is movable via a trigger mechanism 9, including at least one rod9′ by actuating first operating means 11. In FIG. 4, the means 11 foractuating the trigger are located nearby the grip portion 2 and includea collar 11′ which is arranged around the upper part 8 a of the handle 8and is able to slide up and down. The rod 9′ is directly or indirectlyconnected to the collar 11′ and moves the clamp 6 when the collar 11′ ispulled and/or pushed. In FIGS. 1 and 2 the fixing means 5 are shown insolid lines in a first position where a pad can be held in place. Thefixing means 5 are shown in dashed lines in a second position where apad is released (FIG. 1 only). Returning means 10 including a spring 10′connected to the clamp 6 keep the fixing means 5 in the first positionwhen the fixing means 5 are not actuated. The advantage is that the userneeds no force to keep the pad 4 attached. When pulled over the cleaninghead 3 the base portion 19 of the flexible pad 4 is stretched over theconvex bottom portion 7 of the cleaning head 3. Its bottom side 20 formsan unruffled cleaning portion for homogeneous application of cleaningdetergent and controlled scrubbing.

[0052]FIGS. 4A, B show the grip portion 2 of the device of FIGS. 1 and 2with the actuating means 11 in the first and second state respectively.As an alternative to the construction of FIGS. 1, 2 returning means 15including a spring 15′ are arranged near the grip portion 2. The collar11′ is pressed downward by the spring 15′ (FIG. 4A), when not pulledupward by the user (FIG. 4B). By pulling the collar 11′ upward, thefixing means 5 move, and a pad can be brought into the attachingposition.

[0053]FIGS. 5 and 6 show another example of an inventive device 1′ witha handle 8′. The cleaning head 3′ comprises a three dimensional frame 22with an oval ring 22 a, two wings 22 b, 22 c bent upward and a bridge 22d bent downward. The cleaning head 3′ can be manufactured from a flatsolid piece by cutting the shapes of wings and bridge and bending thesepieces appropriately. Alternatively, it is manufactured by injectionmoulding.

[0054] By moving a clip 23 located near the grip portion a clamp 6′ islowered or raised onto the tab 21 of the cleaning pad 4, as shown in thepartly sectional view of FIG. 6. The clamp 6′ is part of the fixingmeans 5′ which further comprise a trigger mechanism 24. The cleaning pad4 is designed to fit around the cleaning head 3′, stretching over itsbottom portion 7′. A tablet 26 with cleaning detergent is attached atthe bottom side 20 of the base portion 19. After use, the clamp 6′ israised to release the tab 21 and the head 3′ and pad 4 shaken underwater to eject the pad which can then be flushed away.

[0055] FIGS. 7 to 10 show a third embodiment of the inventive device 1″,with attached pad (FIGS. 7, 9) and without (FIGS. 8, 10). The handle 8″consists of two separated pieces, a shaft 8 c and a lower part 8 b′. Thelower part 8 b′ of the handle 8″ is an integral part of the cleaninghead 3″, e.g. moulded in one piece with the frame 22′, as shown in thesectional view of FIG. 7. A collar 30 which may be fixed to or anintegral part of the shaft 8 c is connected to the lower part 8 b′ via aspring mechanism 31. The collar 30 as a part of the fixing means 5″comprises a clamp 6″ resting on the wings 22 b′, 22 c′ of the frame 22′,as shown in FIGS. 7, 9 and 10, unless the collar 30 is pulled upward, asshown in FIG. 8. A portion of the cleaning pad 4′ is clamped between theclamp 6″ and the frame 22′ to secure the pad 4′ to the device 1″.

[0056] A cleaning pad 4′ for the use with a device 1″ as shown in FIGS.7 to 10 is shown in FIG. 11. Like the cleaning pad 4 of FIG. 3 thecleaning pad 4′ has an oval shape which is dimensioned to fit preferablytightly around the cleaning head 3″ of FIGS. 7 to 10. The cleaning pad4′ comprises a flat, but flexible oval base portion 19′ and a sheet 17′attached to the base portion 19′ and forming a cleaning head receivingpocket 18′ with the base portion 19′. The pad 4′ further comprises anelongate tab 21′ located at the pocket and projecting rearwardly thatcan be gripped by the clamp 6″. A tablet 26′ with cleaning detergent isattached to the bottom side 20′ of the pad 4′, as shown in FIG. 7. Thecleaning pads 4, 4′ preferably consist of water degradable materials,e.g. laminated or non-woven cellulose, tissue paper and/or fleecematerial, which are preferably recycled, welded by heat, pressure oradhesive. The tabs 21, 21′ are preferably made of card or the samematerial as the pad itself. Preferably several pads are stored in adispenser with an opening through which the cleaning head can beinserted for loading a fresh pad.

[0057] When not in use, the device may be hung from a wall fitting ormay be located in a suitable station device, for example afloor-standing base having a housing that is adapted to receive the headportion. The device may easily be removed or inserted into the stationby gripping and applying pressure to the handle.

[0058] The device 32 shown in FIG. 12 comprises a handle 33 having atone end a trigger 34 and at the other end a head 35. The handle ishollow and internal of the handle is a trigger mechanism (not shown)which connects the trigger 34 with retractable pins. Depressing thetrigger 34 causes the retractable pins to be withdrawn to permit acleaning pad 36 to be fitted over the head 35. A spring on the triggermechanism (not shown) is biased the movement of the trigger such thatwhen the user releases the trigger, the retractable pins extendoutwardly of the head to abut a circumferential wall 37 on the cleaningpad and thereby fix the cleaning pad tightly to the cleaning head. Whenthe cleaning pad is to be removed after a cleaning operation, thetrigger is simply actuated to retract the pins and the cleaning pad canbe gently urged off the cleaning head.

[0059]FIGS. 13 and 14 shows a cleaning device wherein the handle 39 isformed of two opposed handle sections 39 a, 39 b which are pivotallymounted 41, the head 40 is similarly composed of head sections 40 a, 40b. Fixing means are provided by a bore 42 which runs through the handlein a direction essentially normal to it length. It can be seen moreclearly from FIG. 14 that the bore is provided by recesses 42 a, 42 bformed in each of the handle sections which cooperate to form the borewhen the handle sections are in closed relationship.

[0060]FIG. 15 shows the same device in its closed position and having acleaning pad 43 slipped over the head. The cleaning pad comprises anelongate tab portion 44 (partly shown) which extends rearwardly of themain body of the cleaning pad 43 and passes through the fixing means 42to snag or catch the handle by means of the T-shaped portion 45. Whenthe handle sections are opened (see FIG. 16) by the user, the headsections separate tearing the cleaning pad and considerably facilitatingthe removal of the pad. Furthermore, as the handle is opened so thefixing means widens thereby to actively disengage the cleaning pad fromthe handle. In FIG. 16 one can see that the fixing means are opening andthe elongate tab begins to disengage by slipping through the bore 42. Itfollows that the opening of the handles by the user provides a verysimple and elegant trigger means for engaging and disengaging the fixingmeans, and at the same time ejection means within the meaning of thepresent invention. To add a new cleaning pad, the handle sections aresimply closed together and the head sections close in a correspondingmanner to permit a new cleaning pad to be inserted.

[0061]FIG. 17 shows a plan view of a cleaning pad 43 having anessentially T-shaped end portion 45 to the elongate tab portion 44. Partof the handle 39 is shown in plan view to illustrate how the elongatetab portion passes through the bore 42 and the T-shaped end portion 45snags the handle.

[0062]FIG. 18 shows another cleaning pad in plan view and in end-sectionhaving an elongate tab 44 having an adhesive surface 51. The elongatetab may pass through the bore 42 on the handle and loop back on itselfbefore being stuck onto the body of the cleaning pad 43 by means of theadhesive surface 51.

[0063]FIG. 19 shows another cleaning pad in plan view having an elongatetab portion 44 terminating in a T-shaped portion 46. The T-shapedportion may be wrapped around a handle (not shown) and fastened thereonby tightening and tying the draw-string 47. A similar pad is shown inFIG. 22, however, the draw-string is replaced with adhesive fasteningmeans provided by the adhesive surfaces 51. FIG. 23 show a plan view ofa variant cleaning pad wherein the essentially T-shaped end portion isreplaced by an essentially L-shaped end portion 52 which may be wrappedaround a handle a fastened thereon by means of the adhesive surface 53.

[0064]FIG. 20 shows yet another cleaning pad in plan view with anessentially circumferential elasticated band 48 to ensure that thecleaning pad fits tightly over the head (not shown). FIG. 24 shows avariant of this design wherein the elasticated band 48 is replaced by adraw-string 54 that may be tightened and the tied around a handle (notshown).

[0065]FIG. 21 shows yet another cleaning pad in plan view andend-section wherein the elongate tab portion 44 terminates in aprojection 49 which will be oriented between the opposed handle sections39 a, 39 b or alternatively the head sections 40 a, 40 b. As the handlesections are closed the projection 49 will be trapped between saidopposed sections and thereby fasten the cleaning pad to the head.

1. A cleaning device comprising a handle having towards one end a gripportion and trigger means, and at the other end a head adapted toreceive a cleaning pad in the form of a slipper, the head comprising abottom surface which bears against a surface to be cleaned; and fixingmeans actuated by the trigger to releasably fix the cleaning pad to thehead wherein fixing means are provided on the device other than on saidbottom surface.
 2. A cleaning device according to claim 1 wherein thehandle comprises to handle sections which are configured in acomplementary manner such that when they are brought together in opposedrelationship they form conjointly the handle.
 3. A cleaning deviceaccording to claim 2 wherein the head comprises to head sections whichare configured in a complementary manner such that when they are broughttogether in opposed relationship they form conjointly the head.
 4. Acleaning device according to claim 2 or 3 wherein the head or handlesections are mounted pivotally such that they open and close in opposedrelationship in a scissor-like manner.
 5. A cleaning device according toany of the claims 2 to 4 wherein the pivot is provided on the handle ina position proximal to the head.
 6. A cleaning device according to anyof the preceding claims wherein the fixing means is provided on thehandle.
 7. A cleaning device according to claim 6 wherein the fixingmeans is a bore provided through the handle in a direction essentiallynormal to its length which bore receives a portion of a cleaning padwhich passes through the bore to snag or catch the handle.
 8. A deviceaccording to any of the preceding claims additionally comprisingejection means which actively disengage the cleaning pad from the fixingmeans to facilitate removal of the cleaning pad from the device.
 9. Adevice according to any of the claims 2 to 8 wherein the fixing means isdisengaged and the ejection means is actuated by the user opening thehandle sections.
 10. A cleaning pad adapted for attachment to a cleaningdevice as hereinabove described.
 11. A cleaning pad in the form of aslipper comprising a body defining an internal cavity for receiving ahead of a cleaning device and extending outwardly in a direction awayfrom said cavity an elongate tab portion which is adapted to engage withthe fixing means thereby to fix the cleaning pad to the head.
 12. Acleaning pad according to claim 11 wherein the elongate tab portion isT-shaped and optionally contains an adhesive surface for fixing to thecleaning device.
 13. A cleaning pad as hereinabove defined havingsecreted therein a cleaning composition.
 14. A container comprising aplurality of cleaning pads as hereinabove described.